England’s cricket team faces a crossroads after their humiliating exit from the Champions Trophy, with calls for Jos Buttler to step down as captain mounting.

Jos Buttler’s tenure as England’s white-ball captain has been defined by remarkable highs and crushing lows, but after England’s shocking elimination from the 2025 Champions Trophy, the time has come for a change at the top.

The loss to Afghanistan, which marked England’s sixth consecutive ODI defeat, highlighted the cracks that have been evident for months.

The defeat capped a disastrous campaign that saw England’s once-dominant team struggle to find their rhythm, leaving Buttler’s leadership under intense scrutiny.

Buttler, England’s finest white-ball batsman and one of the most dynamic players in world cricket, has been unable to translate his individual brilliance into sustained team success as captain.

Despite the optimism that surrounded his appointment following England’s historic World Cup triumph in 2019 and their T20 World Cup victory in 2022, Buttler has now overseen a period of dramatic decline.

England, who were double world champions just 18 months ago, now find themselves among the also-rans, with their latest exit from a global tournament confirming what many feared: Buttler is no longer the right man to lead England’s limited-overs teams.

The warning signs were there during the 2023 World Cup in India, where Buttler and coach Matthew Mott tried to rally the team but found themselves unable to arrest England’s slide.

Repeated defeats, compounded by poor performances against the strongest sides, painted a worrying picture of a team that had lost its edge.

Buttler’s frustration was palpable as he acknowledged the need for a reset, saying, “I don’t want to make any emotional statements right now, but for myself and the guys at the top, we should consider all possibilities.”

This admission, made after another crushing defeat, reflected the reality that change was inevitable, even if Buttler was reluctant to say the words out loud.

In truth, the downward spiral had already begun well before the Champions Trophy. England’s inconsistent performances, including an underwhelming T20 showing in the Caribbean, had exposed the limitations of Buttler’s leadership.

The team’s failure to meet expectations, despite the early promise under his captaincy, has raised serious questions about his ability to adapt and steer the ship through tough times.

The loss to Afghanistan was just the latest in a series of disappointing results, and many fans now believe it is time for a fresh start.

The issue isn’t just about Buttler’s leadership; it’s also about the direction of the team. England have failed to evolve and adapt their game to the modern demands of limited-overs cricket.

In their early years of success, they were an aggressive, dynamic side, but those qualities have been missing in recent times.

As much as Buttler and his team have protested that a revival is just around the corner, the truth is that they have been stuck in a cycle of self-delusion, convinced that their fortunes will change with a bit of luck.

It hasn’t worked, and it’s becoming harder to ignore the signs that the team needs a new vision.

Buttler’s response to the pressure has been telling. His remarks after the Afghanistan defeat, while measured, were ultimately an acknowledgment that the time had come for the team to move forward without him at the helm.

As much as he has been a figurehead for England’s white-ball revolution, Buttler now finds himself in a situation where the best thing for the team may be to step aside and focus on his batting for the final years of his career.

He has already proven that he is one of the best white-ball players in the world, and perhaps it’s time for him to return to what he does best, free from the burden of captaincy.

The immediate question for England is who will replace Buttler as captain. Harry Brook, who showed promise in last summer’s series against Australia, could be a natural successor.

Brook has already proven himself to be a versatile and highly capable performer, and with a few years of experience under his belt, he could be the man to take England forward into the next phase of their white-ball journey.

England’s cricketing future now hinges on their ability to make bold decisions and set a new course. Buttler, despite his individual brilliance, has presided over a team that has lost its edge.

His departure from the captaincy could be the first step in a much-needed overhaul, allowing England to rebuild and reassert themselves on the world stage.

For Buttler, stepping down may be the toughest decision of his career, but it could ultimately be the right one for both him and the team. England’s white-ball team needs a fresh start, and Buttler’s exit from the captaincy could provide the reset they so desperately need.

The era of Buttler as England’s leader may be coming to an end, but his legacy as one of the best batsmen the country has ever produced will endure.